"G is for gun" debuts to an engaged and questioning crowd

The movie, “G is for Gun: The Arming of Teachers in America” has debuted and will be coming to a PBS station near you. It was directed and produced by Massachusetts-based independent filmmakers.

The promotion said about the film:

This is the first documentary film of its kind to examine the rapidly growing, controversial trend of U.S. Kindergarten through 12 public schools arming teachers as a security measure. Through the story of a small Ohio city, the film explores the tensions inherent in the intersection of the national gun debate and tenuous state of public education. This film includes a wide range of viewpoints and experiences documenting the difficult choices many communities are facing.

When one of the producers first contacted me, I was a little leery about allowing an unknown filmmaker coming to our teacher training classes and protecting the identify of our students. But she quickly impressed me with the time she took to study before calling me. She had done more research than any prior media personnel I had spoken with, and conveyed a professionalism that quickly won me over.

She told me she wanted to make a film not to promote arming school staff, or opposing it, but “to open a national dialog on the issue of school safety.” Judging by the crowd on opening night, she did exactly that.

The film debuted on March 15, 2018 at the studios of ThinkTV in Dayton, Ohio. The 300 or so people in attendance enjoyed food and beverage and a little chatting time before it started. After the 30-minute film there was a panel discussion with:

• John Schue – Superintendent, Sidney schools
• Thomas Falk – University of Dayton, Education
• Adam Arnold – Sinclair Community College, Criminal Justice
• David Romick – President, Dayton Education Association

One hour was not enough time to answer the various questions from the audience, with many staying upwards of an hour after the end of the event asking questions of panel members, FASTER Saves lives trainers, the station and producer.

If you are a gun loving person who thinks all schools staff should be armed, there are things in this film that will make you cringe. If you are a person who is afraid of guns and believes they have no place in our schools, there are things in this film that will make you cringe. The same is probably true for anyone in between. But there will also be things you agree with and there will surely be things you want to comment about. And that is the point of the film; to foster a discussion about school safety.

In various panels I have participated in recently, there is a common theme in both the panel members and the audience. We may have sharp disagreement on “guns” but we are unified in wanting safe schools. Timing is perfect for this film because we are at a point where the nation has had enough and we want solutions. An honest and respectful discussion is the place to start, and “G is for Gun” is a great discussion starter.

There is one line in the film that I must take issue with. Sidney Chief of Police William Balling says, “Any time there is an incident I can have 14 officers there within 2-minutes time. And the first officer there within seconds.” That is a lie. He can’t even guarantee anyone calls 911 in that time, let alone time to dispatch officers, respond, enter the building and find the killer. A study of actual events tells a very different story. It is irresponsible of any Chief to mislead people about the abilities or response time of his officers, because believing him could lead to additional casualties.

The producers put over three years and enormous effort into the film. We are honored to have played a small part in helping them tell a story, educate people, and help people make changes for the betterment of our children.

The movie premiered on ThinkTV 16 last week in Dayton. Contact your local PBS station to encourage them to air the movie.

More information about the film can be found at www.gisforgunthefilm.com/

Jim Irvine is Board President of Buckeye Firearms Foundation. He is also recipient of the NRA-ILA's 2011 "Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award," the CCRKBA's 2012 "Gun Rights Defender of the Year Award," and the SAF's 2015 "Defender of Freedom Award."